University of Iowa · Microbiology & ImmunologyCenter for C. difficile Enzyme Research
David S Weiss · Iowa City, Iowa
Research Focus
Dr. David S. Weiss's lab focuses on understanding the structure and function of unique enzymes in the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. By researching these enzymes, the lab aims to develop new antibiotics that target C. difficile without harming beneficial gut bacteria. This work is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and addressing public health issues related to bacterial infections.
C. difficileantibiotic developmentenzyme structurepeptidoglycanantibiotic resistance
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify the structure of VanW domain enzymes in C. difficile.
AIM 02Investigate how these enzymes are recruited during cell division.
AIM 03Explore the role of LDTs in sporulation and their potential as drug targets.
Skills the Lab Values
protein purificationX-ray crystallographymutagenesis techniquescell cultureantibiotic susceptibility testing
Output against the department
Publications131top 50% of dept.243rd of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations21ktop 18% of dept.89th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.